Most cocoa-growing regions in côte d’Ivoire reported below-average rainfall last week, but farmers told the news agency, Reuters, that the high soil moisture from previous rains would aid in the strong development of the main crop which starts in October.
Côte d’Ivoire is nearing the end of its wet season, which runs from April through mid-November, and most farmers appreciated the dry spell last week as it helped to prevent diseases and insects on crops.
The cocoa trees have received good moisture. The quality of beans will be good until January at least. – Albert N’Zue, a farmer from near Daloa.
Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro, further south, reported similar conditions, as the rains were less than average. Over to the west, in the Man region, farmers had feared damage from a substantial rainfall but were relieved to get the dry weather.
Warehouse levels are reportedly good and the farmers are now hopeful they can achieve good prices and are waiting on the CCC, the country’s regulator, to set this season’s farmgate price.
farmers are now hopeful they can achieve good prices and are waiting on the CCC, the country’s regulator, to set this season’s farmgate price.
Farmers waiting to hear the news commented that a good price will make the market very interesting.
“We need more sun to improve the quality of beans,” said Salame Kone, who farms near Soubre, where 46 (mm) fell last week, 27.2 mm above the five-year average.
Over the past week, the average temperature across the country ranged from 25.4 to 28.3 degrees Celsius.
